Six people were treated after a vehicle entered the McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport at about 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 23. The driver was detained and officials have not released an identity; the cause remains under investigation. Video shows a dark Mercedes striking a Delta ticket counter, and Delta said no passenger injuries were reported though three employees were checked. Authorities praised the rapid emergency response and continue to investigate.
Six Treated After Car Plows Into Detroit Airport Terminal; Driver Detained
Sennel Threlkeld II/@_sennel via APA photo of the car crashed into a terminal kiosk at DTW
At about 7:30 p.m. local time on Friday, Jan. 23, a vehicle drove into the entrance of the McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) and struck a Delta ticket counter, authorities said.
Sennel Threlkeld II/@_sennel via APPolice cordon off the site of the car crash
What Happened
The Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) Police Department said the car "drove into the entrance" of the terminal and collided with a ticket kiosk. Emergency personnel treated six people at the scene. The driver was taken into custody, but officials have not released an identity and said the cause of the crash is under investigation.
AP Photo/Paul SancyaA photo of the control tower at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Oct. 28, 2025
Video and Witness Accounts
Local news video appears to show a dark-colored Mercedes smashed into a Delta ticket counter inside the terminal while bystanders watch from a distance. Additional clips show damaged door frames and debris where the vehicle entered the building. In some footage, the driver—reportedly wearing a black Detroit Lions jersey—can be seen shouting incoherently as airport security and officers move to detain the person.
"The response was so quick, thank God with the cops and TSA and everybody," said traveler Ali Khalifa, who witnessed the incident. "That all happened in seconds."
Official Statements
The WCAA said the cause of the crash is unknown. Fox 2 Detroit reported the driver may have experienced a mental episode, though it is not clear whether charges will be filed. Delta told CBS News it was not aware of any passenger injuries; three Delta employees were checked by emergency personnel after encountering debris. The airline said there was no operational impact to flights.
Firefighters were seen moving aside broken door frames and other debris left by the impact. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances that led to the vehicle entering the terminal. PEOPLE has reached out to Delta for additional comment.
Help us improve.
